Collapsible storage file



May 23, 1961 H. w. MARANO COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE FILE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 16, 1958 INVENTOR.

HERBERT W MA AIVO BY WM K A TTOE/VE Y May 23, 1961 H. w. MARANO2,985,496

COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE FILE Filed April 16, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 h v INVOR e HEEBEET MAE/W0 Mill BY ATTQ Y I 1 i 7 i 1M1 y 1961 H. w. MARANO2,985,496

COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE FILE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 16, 1958 .4 7'7'ORNE Y spasm COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE FILE Herbert W. Marano, Summit, N.J.,assignor to Wilson Jones Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation ofMass..- chusetts Filed Apr. as, 19 5s, saw. No. new

1 (Ilaims. or. era- 259 The present invention relates generally toimprovements in storage structures, and in particular it relates toimprovements in collapsible storage and filing cabinets.

The conventional collapsible storage or temporary filing cabinetconsists usually of a tubular shell member of rectangular cross-sectionand a registering drawer, each fabricated of corrugated cardboard orfiberboard. The shell and drawer are separable and of a collapsibleconstruction, and when assembled may be arranged in vertical stacks. Thecollapsible filing cabinets generally available possess numerousdisadvantages and drawbacks. They are usually weak and easily deformedand will not sustain any substantial weight. They cannot be stackedsafely in high columns without dangerof collapse. Furthermore, when sostacked it is difficult and often impossible to slide a filled drawerout of and back into the shell, particularly the lowermost portions ofthe stack, to obtain access to the contents. The conventionalcollapsible filing cabinets are also expensive, difiicult to assembleand highly inflexible.

It is thus a principal object of the present invention to provide animproved storage or temporary filing cabinet.

Another object of the-present invention is to provide an improvedcollapsible storage or temporary file cabinet.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcollapsible storage or filing cabinet of rugged and inexpensiveconstruction.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcollapsible storage or filing cabinet which may be rapidly and simplyassembled and disassembled.

Still a further object of thepresent invention is to provide an improvedcabinet unit which may be stacked and arranged side-by-side with otherunits in simple interlocked arrangement.

Other and further objects of the present invention will becme apparentfrom a reading or the following description, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a top plan view of theshell or casing portion of a filing cabinet embodying the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the casingillustrated, shown partially broken away for convenience bfillustration;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken along line 3=3inFigure 1;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the junction point of fourcasings arranged in side-'by-side relationship showing the interlockingbrackets;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the partially assembled blank formingthe casing member;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail exploded perspective view of a pair ofreinforcing frame members and the associated coupling and lockingmembers;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the blank employed in fabricating the drawermember;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the partially assembled drawerillustrating the locking elements in position prior to interengagement;

Figure 9 is an end view of a folded corrugated board forming a multiplewall of the drawer member;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a bracket clip member;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of a drawer wall connecting member; and IFigure 12 is an end elevational view thereof.

In a sense, the present invention contemplates the provision of astorage device comprising a casing including a pair of angularlyarranged longitudinallyextending panels; transversely extendingreinforcing members secured to said panels and having adjacent freeends; an angular coupling element separably engaging the free ends ofsaid reinforcing member to connect rigidly said elements in angularrelationship; and a locking elernent engaging one of said reinforcingmembers and removably registering with said coupling element to maintainsaid element in a coupling position.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of bracketmembers which facilitate e vertical stacking of the cabinet shelves aswellasa-theside-byside arrangement thereof Each bracket includes a pairof laterally spaced diverging wings. in the upper brackets the wingsextend downwardly and in the lower brackets they project upwardly sothat when the shelves are stacked the diverging Wings interlock, theinner. portions of the upper wings resting upon and abutting the innerportions of the lower wings. There is also interengagerhentof the wingsof the adjacent side-by-side brackets. A clip member is provided whichreleasably engages the outer arms so as to maintain releasably thebrackets in assembled condition.

A further feature of the storage or filing cabinet of the presentinvention is in the structure of the drawer member which is formed ofside, front and rear panels hinged to a panel base, each of the panelsbeing provided with relatively staggered tubular members which interlockupon erection of the walls, and a latching pin is inserted throughcorrespondingly aligned tubular membeis so asto maintain the assembly ofthe drawer.

Still a further feature of the article of the present invention residesin the manner of folding corrugated cardboarder fiberboard so as tomaintain its maximum strength. This is principally accomplished byforming a pair of parallel score lines in the area of folding separateda predetermined distance in accordance with the degree of folding to beachieved.

Referring now to the drawings which illustrate a preferr'ed embodimentof the cabinet of the present invention, and Figure 5 in particular,reference numeral "10 generally designates a hollow shell or casingmember which is of rectangular transverse cross-section. Shell 10 isformed of a single blank of double-faced corrugated cardboard or thelike which includes a bottom rectangular panel 11 and laterallyextending rectangular side panels 12 which are demarked from thelongitudinal edges of the bottom panel 11 by a pair of parallel spacedscore lines 13 formed in the inner face of the blank, said lines 13being spaced apart a distance approximately equal to 1.2 times thethickness of the corrugated cardboard material forming the shell. A pairof rectangular panels 14- extend from the opposite longitudinal edges ofpanels 12 to define the top wal of shell it the width of each of toppanels 14 being halfthe width of bottom panel 11, and being separatedfrom side panels 12 by parallel spaced score line lfi the samecharacteristics as the score line 13. Extending rea'rwardly from thetrailing edge of bottom panel 11 is a rear panel 17 which is separatedfrom bottom panel 11 by a score line 18 formed in the underface ofpanels 11 and 17. A score line 13 is formed in the inner face of theblank forming shell parallel to and spaced inwardly from the trailingedges of panels 11, 12 and 14. A pair of opposing stop tabs-29 aresecured to the underface of panels 14pmjecting inwardly from the inneredges thereof and being lscated rearward of the leading edges of panels14.

In assembling shell 10, panels 17 and the rear marginal borders ofpanels 11, 12 and 14 are folded inwardly along score lines 19 until theborders and panel 17 are disposed against the inner faces of the blank.Panel 17 is then swung back about score line 18 to a vertical position,and panels 12 and 14 are swung up about score lines 13 and 16 and theinner edges of panels 14 are brought into abutment to complete theshell, with its rear end closed by panel 17 and its forward end open.Prior to'assembly, tabs 29 are folded at right angles perpendicular topanels 14 and are then brought into abutment with each other. A suitableadhesive tape 21 or other fastening means is applied to the line ofjuncture of the abutting edges of the top panels 14. The trailing edgeof shell 10 is provided with an upper border 22'formed of a double layerof corrugated cardboard, and rear wall 17 is spaced slightly inwardlyfrom the trailing end of the shell, with its upper edge abutting theinner edge of the confronting border. underply, as seen in Figure 2.

In order'tof'impart rigidity to shellltl, the trailing and leading endsthereof are reinforced by rectangular metallic frame'members 23 and 24respectively. Frame mem bers 23 and 24 are formed of upper and lowerframe elements or ribs 26 and vertical frame elements or ribs 27. Ribs26 are formed of longitudinal strips extending transversely across thetop and bottom walls of shell 10 along the leading and trailing edgesthereof. Each of strips 26 is provided with a channel-shaped border 28which, in the case of frame member 23, engages and embraces the leadingborders of the top and bottom walls of shell 10, and in the case offrame member 24 engages and embraces the trailing edge of shell 10.Formed along the trailing edge of each frame element 26 are dependingpointed tongues 29 which penetrate into and through the shell walls, andthe ends of which are offset to effect a securement of the frameelements to the shell walls. Also formed in frame elements 26 along theleading edges just rearward of the trailing edge of channel 28 areregularly spaced pairs of openings 36 through which pass the legs ofsuitable staples, the leg ends of which are upset, as at 32.

Extending along the length of each frame element 26 and shaped from thestrip forming the body of said frame element is an elongatedchannel-shaped rib 33 which terminates at and is spaced from the freeends of the frame elements 26, provided with outwardly directed openings34 at each end thereof. An invertedU-shaped rib 36 of the samecross-section as rib 33 is formed at each end of the frame element 26 inlongitudinal alignment with rib 33. Between each rib 36 and 33 there isformed a rib 37, also of inverted U-shaped configuration similar to thatof rib 33 and in alignment with rib 33 and end rib 36. Strap or bridgeportions 38 between ribs 36, 37 and 33 define, with said ribs, couplingmember receiving sockets.

Vertical frame supporting elements 27 are of somewhat similarconstruction to horizontal frame elements 26, and are disposed along theleading borders of the outer faces of the vertical shell walls 12, eachelement 27 being formed of a metal strip having a leading channel-shapedportion 39 which engages and embraces the leading edges of the verticalwalls 12. Frame element 27 is also provided with inwardly directedfastening tongues 40 which engage the vertical walls 12 and have formedtherein along the leading edge regularly spaced pairs of openings 41which engage the legs of the fastening staples as aforesaid.

A raised rib 42, similar to rib 33 of element 26, extends along thelength of frame element 27 terminating short of the free ends thereof.Longitudinally spaced forward and intermediate inverted U-shaped ribs 43and 44 respectively are formed adjacent each end of frame element 27 andare of the same configuration as rib 42 and in alignment therewith, theforward ribs 43 being spaced inwardly from the ends of frame elements27. A de-. pressed strap 46 is formed in the free end of the frameelement 27 between the edge of rib 43 and the corresponding edge offrame element 27. The width of the strap 4-6 is substantially equal tothe width of ribs 43 and 44. Ribs 43, 44 and 42 with strap and bridgeportions 46 and 47 define end sockets. As illustrated in Figure 3, theends of frame elements'27 extend substantially to the outer faces of theshell upper and lower walls, whereas the ends of the horizontal frameelements 26 extend to points slightly short of the outer faces of shellside Walls 12.

The adjacent ends'of the frame elements 26 and 27 are rigidly,separably' interconnectedby means of mating coupling members 50,preferably formed of sheet metal. Each coupling member 50 includes alongitudinally extending leg 51 having a longitudinally extendingupwardly directed arcuate reinforcing rib 52 formed therein. Projectingperpendicularly from an end of leg 51 is an arm 53 which terminates inan inwardly directed flange or lip 54. In connecting the ends of frameelements 26 and 27 coupling member 51 is inserted into the socket of aframe element 26 defined by ribs 36, 37 and 33 and by bridges 38 untillip 54 engages the inner edge of strap 46, cross arm 53 snugly restingin the depressed portion of strap 46, its free face being coplanar withthe outer face of the corresponding frame element.

In order to releasably lock coupling members 50 in inserted positionthere are provided locking pins 56. Pins 56 serve a dual function, thatof locking coupling members 50 in inserted position, and of facilitatingthe stacking of a plurality of cabinets in properly supportedarrangement and permitting the interlocking of adjacentside-by-sidedisposed cabinets. Each pin 56, as illustrated in Figure 6, includes alongitudinally extending leg 57 provided with an arcuate longitudinalreinforcing rib 58 and having located at one end thereof a coplanarcross arm 59. Projecting from the outer longitudinal edge of cross arm59 are a pair of laterally spaced diverging legs or wings 60 and 61,which are substantially rectangular and of identical configuration,their adjacent edges meeting at a point along the upper edge of crossarm 59 and on the medial axis of leg 57. Wings 60 and 61 preferably forma dihedral angle of with each other and of with the plane of cross arm59.

Pins 56 are brought into locking position by inserting the vertical legs57 into the sockets of the corresponding frame elements 27 which aredefined by ribs 43, 44 and 42 and by strap 46 and the intermediatebridge portions 47, 47. The upper edge of rib 43 provides an abutmentfor the under edge of locking member cross arm 59. Eight couplingmembers 50 having been inserted in the corners of the forward and rearframe members 23 and 24, and the eight pins 56 having been inserted,shell 10 is in completely assembled condition, supported on all foursides and braced against deformation.

As illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing the cabinets according to thepresent invention maybe arranged in vertically stacked as well as inside-by-side interlocked arrangement. The lower pins 56 of the uppershell 10 are in vertical alignment with the upper pins 56 of the lowershell 10, the ofiset wings of the V-shaped crotches between the wingportions interfitting. The inner portions of the wings 60 and 61 of theupper pins 56 abut and rest upon the inner portions of the wings 60 and61 of the lower pins 56.

Two stacks of shells 10 may be brought also into side-by-siderelationship, the terminal portions of the wings 60 of the four adjacentpins 56 interdigitating, also as illustrated in Figure 4. Coupling pins56 are releasably interlocked by means of a U-shaped spring clip 63, asillustrated in Figure of the drawing, clip 63 being formed ofresilientwire comprising a bridge 64, a pair of depend ng arms 65terminating in outwardly inclined fingers 6'6. Clip 63 is slipped aboutthe assembled bracket wings 60 and 61, arms 65 registering in thesaddles defined by the outwardly directed adjacent bracket Wings 61. Theoutwardly directed arms 65 facilitate the application of clip 63.

In collapsing shell 10 for storage or transportation purposes, clips 63are removed and the shells unstacked. Thereafter, the locking pins 56are extracted and the coupling members 50 removed, thus permitting thecol lapsing of the frame members 23 and 24 and the shell 10. The shells10 may be erected by reversing this procedure. H

, Referring now to Figures 7 to 9 and 11 and 12 of the drawing,whichrelate t'othe drawer component vof the improved collapsible file ofthe present invention, reference numeral 70 generally designates thedrawer which is formed, like shell section 10, of a single blank 71 ofdouble-faced corrugated cardboard. Blank 71 includes arectangular-shaped base panel 72 having laterally extending wings 73 and74 and forwardly and rearwardly directed wings 76 and 77 respectively.

Wing 73 includes an inner'rectangular panel 78 separated from base panel72 by a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel score lines 79having a spacing approximately equal to 1.2 times the thickness of thecorrugated cardboard. Panel 78 terminates inan' end panel 80, and isseparated therefrom by a pair of spaced parallel score lines 81 spacedfrom each other approxi mately 1.5 times the corrugated cardboardthickness.

The opposite wing 74 is formed of three side-by-side panels; inner panel82, intermediate panel 83 and end panel 84. Inner panel 82 is separatedfrom base panel 72 by parallel score lines 86 spaced apart 1.2 times thepanel thickness; panel 83 is separated from panel 82 by parallel scorelines 87 spaced apart 1.5 times the panel thickness, and panel 84separated from panel 83 by a single score line 88 formed in theunderface of the corrugated cardboard. The dimensions of end panel 84are slightly less than the dimensions of base panel 72, the heights ofthe panels 80, 78 and 82 being approximately equal and that of panel '83being slightly less than that of panel 82 in height. Narrow recesses 89are formed in opposite side edges of panel 80 from the inner border to apoint short of the free edge thereof, and narrow recesses 90 are formedin the side edges of panel 83 from the inner edge thereof to a pointshort of the outer edge thereof. It is important to note that theprovision of parallel score lines spaced approximately 1.2 and 1.5 timesthe blank thickness for folding 90 and 180 respectively is highlyadvantageous since a stronger corner or edge is achieved than isrealized with a single scored line.

Front wing 76 includes an inner rectangular panel 91 and an outerrectangular panel 92, inner rectangular panel 91 being separated frombase panel 72 by parallel score lines 94 spaced apart approximately 1.2times the blank thickness, and panel 92 is separated from panel 91 by apair of parallel score lines 96 spaced apart approximately 1.5 times theblank thickness. Formed in the side edges of outer panel 92 are recesses97 which extend from the free edge of panel 92 to a point short of scorelines 96. Also formed in the panels 91 and 92 are laterally spacedapertures 98 and 99 respectively, the apertures being equidistant fromthe opposite edges of the panels 91 and 92.

Rear wing 77 includes an inner panel 100 and an end panel 101, innerpanel 100 being separated from base panel 72 by parallel score lines 102spaced apart 1.2 times the blank thickness and panel 101 being separatedfrom panel 100 by parallel score lines 103 spaced apart 1.5 times theblank thickness. Recesses 104 are formed in the opposite side edges ofpanel 101 extending from the free edge thereof to a point short of scorelines 103. Equally spaced on opposite sides of score lines 103 are handopenings 106 and 107 respectively, hand opening 107 being located inpanel 100 and being provided with an upwardly directed wing 108 alongthe edge thereof adja cent score line 103. V

In order to permit the collapsible assembly of the drawer 70 there isprovided a plurality of connecting members 108 which are located alongthe edges of the drawer walls, as will be hereinafter set forth. Eachconnecting member 108 includes a rectangularplate 109, along thelongitudinal edge of which is formed a plurality of regularly spacedtubular knuckles or hinge ears 110. Knuckles 110' extend longitudinallyand the distance be"- tween the confronting ends of the respectiveknuckles 110 is slightly greater than the length of each knuckle.

A plurality of upstanding triangular fastening ears 111 are located onplate 109 and formed integrally therewith, ears 111 being oppositelydirected and of a depth slightly less than the thickness of thecorrugated cardboard forming the drawer 70. Also formed in plate 109between ears 11 1 and the knuckle-carrying edge of plate 109 are aplurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of staple-receiving apertures112.

In assembling blank 71 and connecting members 108 to form drawer 70, aconnecting memberis positioned along the opposite side edges of each ofthe panels 80,

83, 9 2 and 101, the knuckles 110 registering with side recesses 89, 90,97 and 104, the inner edges thereof confronting the longitudinal edgesof the respective recesses. It'should be noted that connecting members108 are sodisp'osed'along panels 80, 82, 92 and 101 that upon finalassembly of the blank 71 adjacent connecting members 108 are verticallystaggered or offset relative to each other a distance slightly greaterthan the distance of a knuckle 110 so as to permit the interdigitatingof the knuckles of adjacent connecting members 108. Triangular ears 111of connecting members 108 pierce the walls of the panels and areembedded therein and plates 109 are further secured to the wall panelsby means of staples 113, the legs of which pass through plate openings112 and are clinched to the underside of the respective panels.

Panels 101 and 92 are then folded inwardly about score lines 96 and 103respectively until they are superimposed upon panels 91 and 100, theoutwardly directed ears 111 I piercing and extending into panels 91 and100. Opening flap 108 passes through hand opening 106, and openings 98are brought into registry with openings 99. Similarly, panel is foldedinwardly about score lines 81 into superposition upon panel 78, cars 111piercing panel 78. Panels 83 and 84 are folded inwardly so that panel 83is brought into superposition upon panel 82 and panel 84 into overlyingposition upon base panel 72. Thereafter, the end walls defined by thesuperimposed panels and 101 and 91 and 92 are bent to an upstandingposition perpendicular to base panel 72 and the side walls defined bysuperimposed panels 78 and 80 and 82 and 83 are likewise erected,knuckles of adjacent connecting members 108 being brought intointerdigitating registry. Lock pins 114, having depending shanks 116 andupper laterally extending finger pieces 117, are inserted intoengagement with the aligned knuckles 110 releasably to lock the drawerin assembled condition. A wire handle 118 of conventional shape issecured to the front face of the front wall of the drawer in the usualmanner by means of a pair of support elements 119 passing through abacking plate 120 and aligned openings 98 and 99. Drawer 70 may besimply collapsed by removing locking pins 116 and flattening the drawer,thus permitting its simple storage and facilititating itstransportation.

While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations andomissions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. A storage device comprising a shell including a pair of angularlyarranged longitudinally extending panels, transversely extendingreinforcing elements secured to said panels and having adjacent freeends, an angular coupling element separably engaging the free ends ofsaid reinforcing elements to connect rigidly said reinforcing elementsin said angular relationship, and a locking element engaging one of saidreinforcing elements and removably registering with said couplingelement to releasably latch said coupling element.

2. An improved storage structure comprising a shell including upper andlower longitudinally extending horizontal rectangular walls andlongitudinally extending vertieal rectangular side walls, reinforcingframe members disposed adjacent the leading and trailing ends of saidshell, each of said frame members including a plurality of elongatedframe elements secured to and extending transversely of said shell wallsand having outwardly directed sockets formed adjacent their ends, aplurality ofcoupling members each including a first leg slidablyregistering with one of said sockets and a second leg substantiallyperpendicular to said first leg and confronting the wall of the frameelement adjacent to said latter socket, and a plurality of'lockingelements each including a leg slidably registering with a frame elementsocket and substantially abutting the outwardly directed face of saidcoupling member second leg.

3. An improved structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein said frameelements are formed of metal strips having longitudinally spacedtransversely extending ridges 8 disposed adjacent the ends thereof, saidridges including bridge portions spaced inwardly from the face of saidstrips to define said sockets.

4. An improved structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein saidcoupling member second leg terminates in an inwardly directed earregistering with an aperture formed in the adjacent frame element. a

V 5. An improved structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein saidframe elements having said locking element engaging sockets havinggrooves formed in the outer faces thereof forward of said correspondingsockets, said coupling member second legs registering with said grooves.V 6. An improved structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein each ofsaid frame elements is provided with an inwardly directed channel-shapedlongitudinal edge engaging an adjacent edge of said shell wall. 7

7: An improved structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein each ofsaid coupling element first legs are horizontally disposed and saidlocking element legs are verticallydisposed. 7

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS .MorinApr. 19,1932 1,965,951 Williams July 10, 1934 7 1,983,307 RegenhardtDec. 4, 1934 2,159,069 Zalkind May 23, 1939 2,237,176 Dorman Apr. 1,1941 r 2,396,140 Zalkind Mar. 5, 1946 2,523,251 Pantalone et al Sept.19, 1950 2,549,682 Grossniklaus Apr. 17, 1951 2,701,174

7 Franks Feb. 1, 1955

